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Constitution & By-Laws Membership
Steve Willard, Chair Amber Carpenter reported for Nik Decker, Chair
• No report. • The 2022-2023 Annual Membership Statistics Report and a
Membership History report were included in the handouts. Our number
DOT Relations (ad hoc) of associates increased. Some full members transferred to the new
James Thew, Chair retired member category. The number of total members for 22-23 was
• Jim reported on his committee’s December 7, 2022 meeting with 1,268, compared to 1,251 in 21-22. The highest number since 2001
DOT Official Mark Casellini of DOT’s External Affairs unit and other was 1,293 in 2007-2008.
representatives of DOT to discuss improving surveyor’s access to DOT • New member benefit: National Purchasing Partners – they offer discounts
appropriation mapping. Jim received an email from DOT yesterday stating to a variety of companies. Go to https://mynpp.com/association/nysapls/
that they are planning to share their mapping for all of Albany County with to create an account.
the understanding that NYSAPLS will professionally index/georeference
the drawings (i.e. – create a GIS). Jim asked for volunteers with GIS Minimum Technical Standards (ad hoc)
experience to work on this effort so we can show DOT what we can do for Jason Larson, Chair
them in exchange for our access to their mapping. • Jason reported on the Round Table discussion held here at Turning Stone

Education earlier this afternoon. Around 30 members were present.
William Eggers, Chair • Jason reported on the committee’s other outreach efforts, including
• Bill commended his committee’s efforts in putting together the great committee members attendance at several regional meetings last year to
selection of classes being held during this year’s annual conference. discuss the draft standards.
• Roy thanked Jeremy Thompson and Greg de Bruin for their role in
Ethical Practices moderating the Round Table discussion.
David Zigler, Chair
• Dave gave a recap on recent cases that have come before the Nominations and Awards
committee and stressed that good communication with the client is key Glennon Watson, Chair
to avoiding complaints. • Glen reported that the existing officers of NYSAPLS will be reinstalled for
• Instances of unauthorized practice continue to be brought to the attention another year.
of the committee. Dave is working on improving a direct channel of • The annual awards ceremony will begin at noon tomorrow. Scholarship
communication with OPD to expedite responses to these cases. and association awardees will be honored, along with new licensees.
• Case No. 2022-002. Dave discussed the committee’s recommendation
made at the November 18, 2022 Board of Directors meeting for the NSPS
temporary suspension of a member. The committee has completed a Patti Brooks, Chair
findings statement and will send same to President Garfinkel for inclusion • Patti introduced our honored guest, National Society of Professional
in the Agenda under Old Business for the March 2023 Board of Directors. Surveyors (NSPS) Executive Director Timothy Burch.
The Board of Directors may, at the March 2023 meeting, act on the • The next NSPS meeting is in April.
Ethical Practices Committee’s recommendation regarding this case. • Patti encouraged attendance at the International Federation of Surveyors
• Dave reported on his recent positive communications with an investigator (FIG) annual conference May 28 – June 1 in Orlando, FL.
at OPD.
Public Relations
Legislative Lem Morrison, Chair
Jason Graf, Chair • Lem thanked all involved in PR during the past year. He invited everyone
• Emily Whalen, our legal counsel reported that the state legislature is in at conference to stop by the PR Corner in the Exhibit Hall.
session and has been busy with the budget. The new chair of the Higher • Lem asked for our “stories” so they can be highlighted in the various
Education Committee in the Assembly is Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy media the committee manages. He also encouraged the submission of
of the 109th District for the City of Albany and Towns of Bethlehem, more “action photos” taken by surveyors in the field.
Guilderland, and New Scotland. Emily also reported on SBELSG and that
they are seeking volunteers from the land surveying profession to serve on Strategic Planning
the board. Land surveyors who do serve on SBELSG are not allowed to be Greg de Bruin, Chair
active at the committee, board, or executive board level of NYSAPLS. • Greg will be working with Amber on creating a database for tracking
• Jason and Emily reminded President Garfinkel about earlier discussions progress on the tasks created in our latest Strategic Plan.
involving the possibility of combining the Legislative Committee and DOT
Ad hoc Committee into a new “Government Affairs” Committee, as that Young Professionals
name might better reflect the actions of the two committees. This matter Tim Massi, Chair
is currently before the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. • The committee will actively be seeking new members during conference
to help with the many tasks that the committee has taken on.
LS PAC • The committee is working on a four part professional development series
No report for young professionals.
VII. Unfinished Business
None before the Board

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EMPIRE STATE SURVEYOR / VOL. 59 • NO 2/ 2023 • MARCH/APRIL 29